IT looks like the country has found a new star who can take over from the now retired Efren “Bata” Reyes.
Carlo Biado proved he is ready to step up to the plate when he came from behind to score a 13-8 victory over Singaporean Aloysius Yapp yesterday (Saturday in the US), capping an improbable run in the US Open 9-Ball Championship at the Harrah’s Resort in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
Trailing 3-8 and seemingly a goner in the race-to-13 title showdown, Biadopounced on the Singaporean’s blunder in the 12th frame and cleaned up the next 10 racks with magical shot-making and timely breaks on the way to snapping the country’s 27-yeardrought in the blue-ribbon pool event.
Malacañang lauded Biado for bringing “pride and honor” to the country, with Presidential spokesman Harry Roque saying he is a world-class athlete.
Biado, 37, who won a tense 11-9 decision over Japan’s Naoyuki Oi in the semifinals, emerged as the second Filipino player to win the prestigious tourney since Reyes ruled the US 9-ball Open, as the event was earlier called, in 1994, beating American Nick Varner in the finals in Chesapeake, Virginia.
After sinking the 9-ball in the right corner pocket in the 21st and final rack, Biado whooped it up, punched the air twice with his right fist, then jumped on thechampionship table and flexed both arms as the new US Pool king.
“I am very happy because this event is one of my dreams. I dedicate this to my family and my baby. Thank you to all of you even during the pandemic you’re still watching around the world. Thank you to all the Filipinos who support me always everywhere,” Biado said in near tears during the awarding ceremony.
The 2017 Malaysia Southeast Asian Games gold medalist received a symbolic green jacket, a glass trophy, while pocketing the top purse of $50,000 (around P2.5 million) at the crowded pool hall sprinkled with Filipino fans.
“I am at a loss for words. I feel grateful to be in the final and all the fans have been awesome so thank you. I know I can do it. I am coming back stronger next year,” said Yapp after his monumental foldup that left him settling for the runner-up prize of $25,000 (P1.25 million).
Yapp had earlier beaten another Filipino, former world champion Dennis Orcollo 11-6 in the semis to arrange a title showdown with Biado.
Orcollo, who finished runner-up in the 2014 US Pool championship, won $12,500 (P625,000).
Biadowon his two first round matches 9-2 and 9-3 over American Steve Fleming and Canadian Vincent Beaurivage, respectively, in the tourney that drew 256 top players worldwide.
He prevailed over Finland’s Mikka Immonen 11-1 in his opening match in round 2 but was relegated to the losers’ bracket after absorbing a 5-11 loss to Spain’s David Alcaide Bermudez in his next match.
Needing three more wins in the losers’ bracket to reach the round-of-16, Biado avenged his loss to the Spaniard with a hairline 11-10 victory in their rematch, then nipped compatriot Johann Gonzales Chua 11-10 in the quarterfinals.
Using the 12th rack as a springboard for his comeback, Biado dug deep into his bag of tricks in the 15th and 17th frames, using jump shots to sink the 1-ball in the corner pocket twice over the 6-ball and 2-ball, respectively, en route to taking a 9-8 lead.
Yap virtually gave up the ghost in the 19th rack, scratching the cue ball, which sank on the opposite corner pocket while sinking the 3-ball, paving the way for Biado to clean up the frame and gain an 11-8 edge. — With Jocelyn Montemayor
